Top 13 Reasons to Live in Syrcuse, NY

Houses here cost less than other places in New York! The median house or condo value in Syracuse is $86,700, practically a fraction of New York State's $285,300. That means you get more square footage for your dollars with rent to own houses in neighborhoods like Westside and Nedrow.

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You pay lower property taxes! Residents pay nearly 40% less than the state's median property tax. That's a whole lot of savings you can invest into properties with higher appreciation rates, such as those in Downtown and Eastside, which includes the vibrant Westcott community.

The rents are affordable! Good deals can be found in areas like Salt Springs and north of I-690, especially around James Street, where you can get a decent place for under $600. Multi-unit apartments abound in the Hawley-Green Historic District, home to a growing community of artists.

There are great neighborhoods for young professionals! The population of Syracuse is young, with a median age of 29. This is largely due to the presence of large companies and attractive neighborhoods, like Eastwood. If you prefer being close to the center, then Tipp Hill would be an ideal place to look for rent to own properties.

It's one of America's best places! Syracuse secured a spot on Forbes' top 10 list, due to its low crime rate, good education system and low cost of living. Suburbs, like Skaneateles, Liverpool and Manlius, are especially popular. Lakefront is next to downtown, so rent to own homes will cost you a bit more.

There are lots of good schools! The Syracuse Area is served by several school districts, including top-ranking Fayetteville-Manlius. From private schools to alternative education programs and innovation zone schools, you have more choices in deciding where to send your children. Syracuse University leads the pack in higher education.

The music festivals are hopping! Enjoy live music outdoors at annual festivals, like Jazz in the Square, the Polish Festival and the star-studded M&T Syracuse Jazz Fest, which has been headlined by Grammy winners.

You can join the Syracuse ArtsWeek! In July, downtown shifts into high gear with a series of more than two dozen festivals and events, like AmeriCU Syracuse Arts and Crafts, Syracuse New Times Street Painting and Syracuse University Bookstore Book Fair.

You can get in touch with your inner bard! Audition for a part in Macbeth, or work behind the scenes at the annual Shakespeare in the Park, held at Thornden Park Amphitheatre. The Syracuse Shakespeare Festival also offers an intensive camp to help you learn about the exciting world of theater.

It has scores of museums and galleries! From the Erie Canal Museum, housed in an old building from 1850, to the Spark Contemporary Art Space, famed for its monthly video screenings on E. Fayette Street, Syracuse takes pride in its historical and art institutions. The Milton J. Rubenstein Museum of Science and Technology also has an IMAX theater.

There are over 170 parks and recreation areas! That includes 12 public pools, too. Watch the trees flower at the 12-acre James Pass Arboretum. Meet Joshua the Lion and get close to Asian elephants at the Rosamond Gifford Zoo. The hugely popular Onondaga Lake Park also hosts a three-kilometer drive-through light show during the holidays.

It's a place for foodies! Sample diverse cuisines in diverse settings, from small chains, like Dinosaur Bar-B-Que, one-offs, like Kitty Hoynes Irish Pub in Armory Square, and exotic picks, like Taj Mahal Indian Restaurant. Gannon's Isle serves the best homemade ice cream in the county, while Alto Cinco has vegans and vegetarians coming back for its no-meat Mexican menu.

It's commuter-friendly! The average commute for workers here is only 16 minutes, far below the national average. With the city strategically located at the intersection of I-90 and I-81, and along I-690 and I-481, it's fairly easy to travel to other parts of the state and the rest of the country. The extensive public transportation system includes Syracuse Hancock International Airport.